O’ my dearmost Baba, if You really love me then please come to the hut of this lowly person. I want to make You listen to my love songs up to Your full heart’s content; that’s why in my mental viina I have practiced many tunes and melodies for You.

Baba, I do not have any knowledge or intellect. Nor do I have any virtue, name & fame, or the weight of those things. I have only one thing: Love for You in my mind. My whole heart is completely filled with love for You. And by offering that love I will satisfy You, by Your grace.

Baba, I do not have any prestige nor do I get any respect or honor. None of these do I have. Nor do I have such devotion that I feel my ego getting wounded by Your not coming. Baba, I have only gratitude in my heart for all those things which You have graciously bestowed upon me. Please shower me in Your ahetuki krpa.

Baba, I know in my heart that You love me, but if You really love me then please come close in my heart. For You I have prepared and decorated my mind in Guru cakra. Baba, please grace me by coming close…

== SENTIENT ENVIRONMENT CREATED BY PAINCAVATI ==

Namaskar,
Creating a sentient environment for our spiritual-cum-devotional pracitices is critical for every Ananda Margii. This letter gives some of Baba’s unique guidelines in this regard.

ALL ARE ANANDA MARGIIS

We all are Ananda Margiis. Innocently one can ask the question that, ‘We are margiis but many are Wts also, so what about them?’. And the answer is very simple. Wts, acaryas, Lft’s, kapalika, avadhuta or purodha, all are Margii. Because margii means those who are following Ananda Marg ideology and the same time they have accepted their Guru as Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.

We see in our Supreme Command which is always repeated after dharmacakra, that the term Ananda Margii has been used. And that term is not only limited to family margiis alone. Plus we all know that the Supreme Command is the most significant guideline. That is why it is repeated after each and every dharmacakra. With this repetition it reminds us that we are all Ananda Margiis– irrespective of social status like Acarya, Avadhuta or Purodha.

So if we see the critical definition of Ananda Margii then we will reach the conclusion that Ananda Margii means those who are adhering to the path of bliss. In this material world people are searching for bliss. But artha does not have the capacity to quench the infinite human thirst. That is why Baba has brought us onto the path of AM and shown us the proper way with various guidelines.

NOW TO THE POINT OF SADHANA

Many points have been discussed in relation with better and proper sadhana. And here I want to add one new point in that series. It is related with sentient environment, freshness of air, and that type of atmosphere which is conducive for sadhana because it invites positive microvita.

In one of His discourses, Baba has given the guideline about the paincavati– Five sacred trees. In the ancient history of India when rishis were maintaining their spiritual ashram, then their ashram was fully focused on spiritual meditation. And they found that these sacred trees were highly beneficial for creating a positive environment for sadhana. That is why these paincavati were quite common. So in the important site of their ashram where those yogis were doing sadhana, they were planting those trees by their sadhana pitha.

Of course those days there was not a lot of scientific development but because of their sadhana they were able to reach to the conclusion by their higher senses about this theory of paincavati. And Baba has appreciated their analysis and conclusion.

No doubt today in those ashrams everything has gotten polluted because in place of sadhana only dogma is occupying the place. But now this is the time when Baba has given this technique to us for making a better environment in our own meditation place.

HOW TO UTILISE IN COLDER CLIMATES

The only question then is that in the cold countries how is it possible to plant those trees because they are originally from tropical areas. And not exactly the same, but a similar problem is there for those who are living in crowded cities– due to a scarcity of open space, planting big, big trees may not be possible.

In this situation though, already science has solved the issue. Because nowadays these plants can be kept as bonsai. You may know even this gigantic banyan tree can be kept in one small plate and its height will be 12 inches maximum. And it will have its leaves and flowers and fruits, everything.

So around the place of doing sadhana keeping such things will be beautiful. Just 5 trays are needed in the sadhana room where they can be kept. And in cold countries arranging such things is not very, very difficult. And it can be kept inside the room. The temperature which is conducive for humans, that same temperature these plants also like. So their growth and survival will not be problematic and the outcome will be very positive, abundant. They will invite positive microvita and not only sadhana but whole vibration of the house will be charged. About these five sacred trees (paincavati) Baba’s guideline is significant.

BABA’S GUIDELINE

BABA says, “The air of the margosa tree destroys the harmful effects of bacteria. It can also fight against negative microvita. This is the reason why margosa is also recognised as one of the five sacred trees (paincavati). In olden days, people liked to perform spiritual practices sitting in an environment free from the pernicious effects of disease and germs. That is why they would plant paincavati — nimba’ (margosa / neem), bilva (wood apple), bhalmali (silk cotton tree), bat (banyan indica) and ashvatha (Indian fig tree) — in and around the place of meditation or spiritual practice. Some people of course use a’mlakii’ (wood sorrel) as a substitute plant. In paincavati maha’nimba may be planted instead of ordinary margosa.” (Microvita Nutshell, p.9)

Namaskar,
Surya

Note 1: Artha vs. Paramartha’

Baba says, “Suppose a man has no clothes and feels cold. Having no money he cannot afford to buy clothes and having no food, he feels hungry. If he gets some money he can remove his hunger by procuring food and thus he can remove his afflictions. Thus we say that Artha is that which removes afflictions. People buy food, clothes,etc. with money and so money in Sam’skrta is called Artha. But it should be remembered that money is only Artha and not Paramartha’, for Paramartha’ means “that which removes one’s afflictions forever”–once the afflictions are gone they will never return. Suppose we buy food with money today; tomorrow we will again feel the pangs of hunger. So money is Artha, not Paramartha’. Paramartha’ is that which brings permanent cessa tion from the triple afflictions–physical, mental and spiritual.” (‘Importance of Society’)

Note 2: Bonsai = About this please ask your friends, or your local plant nursery, plant house or tree farm, or garden center, as well as books and literature. I think everyone may be aware that in Madhu Malainca (Lake Gardens) Baba had so many such trees.

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How Meaningful

Baba says, “A jiiva is manifested out of Paramashiva as a jiiva in human body– or rather, simultaneously in the Cosmic Body and in a human body. Each and every microcosmic structure is like a universe. Hence the yoga of scriptures say, Traelokye ya’ni bhu’ta’ni ta’ni dehatah– ‘Whatever exists in the universe exists in your small structure as well.” (Discourses on Krsna & the Giita, p.19)
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O’ Prabhu, Your divine liila is beyond all human comprehension. Merely relying upon one’s own minute intellect, who can understand Your vast cosmic liila– no one. Baba, You are present in form as well as in the unexpressed universe. You reside within everything and You are also surrounding each and every one. Baba, You are infinite.
Baba, by Your grace You are present in the depths of the deep blue ocean as well as in the whiteish fog of the tall mountain peaks. Whereever I look or see and even in the places that I cannot see, everything resides within Your mind.
Baba, You are present in the poreless stone and lac and You are also present in the revolving seasons. You are in the mobile as well as immobile entities; You are everywhere. Baba, whatever I think and even what I do not think, everything resides within Your mind. Baba, You are so vast.
Baba, Your liila is fathomless; I long for Your causeless grace; Baba, I want Your shelter, please grace me…

== WHO CAN THINK THIS IS A TRUE ANANDA VANII ==

PRESENT AND PAST HISTORY OF FAKE ANANDA VANIIS

Namaskar,
One by one we are undoing and getting rid of the dogmas which have hounded our Marga since 1990. Things are most definitely moving in a positive direction. As we all become more ideologicall aware and set Baba’s ideal as the gold-bar standard, then naturally dogmas that certain people draggged into the Marga or invented by themselves will be dismantled.

SPECIALITY OF ORIGINAL VANIIS

We all know that the original and true Ananda Vaniis are golden bullets of inspiration that inspire us to move ahead, overcome all obstacles, and lead the humanity into the new crimson dawn. So Baba’s Ananda Vaniis are truly unique.

Even then some “leaders” are thinking that they can create their own false versions– and have come up with a tainted formula for doing so.

IS SIZE THE ONLY FACTOR?

Some may be thinking that:’Because Ananda Vaniis are small, since they are just one or two paragraphs, so therefore to make one new Ananda Vanii, just take one Baba’s discourse and select one tiny paragraph out of that. And that will be an “Ananda Vanii”.’

A few may be thinking in this above distorted manner.

And indeed if anybody sees superficially then they will say that ‘Ok, true Ananda Vaniis are generally one or sometimes two paragraphs. So the ruling group or subgroup did fine by collecting some excerpts or quotations from Baba’s long discourses. So on the basis of size, their fake Ananda Vanii is ok.’ This is just one misguided outlook.

So some may get confused because the the length of the true Ananda Vaniis and the length of the fake Ananda Vaniis is the same. That is to say, the length of Baba’s true Ananda Vaniis are one or two paragraphs, and the random pre-published lines that group leaders select for Fake Ananda Vaniis is one or two paragraphs. And then they stick on the name– Ananda Vanii– when in fact what they are sending out is just a Fake Ananda Vanii.

Here the main idea is that on the point of length or the counting of words, certain quotes and true Ananda Vaniis may be similar. But length is not the criteria to evaluate this situation. If you start valuing this by its length, then that will be a foolish approach.

A FEW COLORFUL EXAMPLES

For example, suppose, you chop the trunk of the elephant and you start calling it a horse, who can believe that? Or, suppose you chop from the legs of the camel and then start calling it a cow, just because both are the same size. This type of logic, only babies or crazy people can accept. Not anyone else.

Or take the example of a car. Suppose you remove two wheels from that car, and with the remaining two wheels you proclaim that “This car is now a motorcycle. Because it has only two wheels. As, a motorbike has also two wheels and now this car only two — so it is now a motorcycle.” All this type of reasoning is nonsense.

LENGTH NOT THE ONLY CRITERIA

Surely this approach will be a foolish approach if anybody does the above. Just as having two wheels is not the only criteria of a motorbike, similarly in the true Ananda Vanii, its length is not its only criteria. It has many more things such as orginality, completeness, and so much more which we never find in those Fake Ananda Vaniis which are mere selections from a bigger discourse. Baba designated the true Ananda Vanii as something unique– as “Ananda Vanii”. So, this is unparalleled.

FAKE ANANDA VANII IS BORN

It is known that when Sarvatmanandaji was initially struggling to find out some formula to create his fake Ananda Vaniis, then he finally devised his plan & he called a CC meeting in order to generate group support.

And during the CC meeting they were all were thinking of a solution to continue the tradition of Ananda Vanii. After long discussion, then one great idea was put forth by one of Sarvatmanandji’s trusted pawns. He told, “Don’t worry. Here is a unique idea to create fake Ananda Vaniis. Because the length of Ananda Vanii is small, one or two paragraphs. So take Baba’s discourse. Select one or two paragraphs. And the length of this new paragraph is the same as that of real Ananda Vaniis. And then just call this new para as ‘Ananda Vanii’.”

Listening this, all the CC Purodhas clapped and accepted this idea. And since then, this selection of a few paragraphs from Baba’s discourses and passing to margiis as a new Ananda Vanii of “Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiiji” of every year, is coming.

And other groups have since adopted this same model of Fake Ananda Vaniis. So now multiple fake Ananda Vaniis are being presented each time. This is the ongoing drama by such group and sub-group leaders.

REALISING IT IS FAKE

Of course now after critical analysis margiis are realizing that (A) Ananda Vaniis and (B) certain quotes of the discourses, are two different things, not one.

1) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are unique teachings not repeated from earlier discourses;
2) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are complete unto themselves; they are not part of a greater chapter;
3) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis were a special message both for that’moment as well as for eternal time; only Parama Purusa Himself can give such a teaching;
4) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are self-contained truths;
5) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis were hand-written Parama Purusa Himself.

In contrast, a quoted passage or an excerpt from a discourse does not fulfill the above stipulations that comprise an Ananda Vanii.

In other words we can say, the current formula to produce fake Ananda Vaniis is similar to these above noted animal examples. Take some discourse and select one or two paragraphs and put the title “Ananda Vanii” and date it ‘1st January, such-and-such year’. And – “Here it is, ready. New Ananda Vanii”. How easy it is.

But those who are rational margiis and WTs, they understand that taking some paragraphs of Baba’s discourse is just one quote. Neither it is a full discourse, nor is it as pointed and conclusive as a true Ananda Vanii. So at any cost, Baba’s quote cannot be called as “Baba’s Ananda Vanii”. And they cannot be collected together with the “Ananda Vanii Samgraha” book.

WILL BE REJECTED BY FUTURE ANANDA MARGIIS

Altogether we have 74 true Ananda Vaniis that are of eternal value. It is from this original collective given by Baba Himself that we should select an Ananda Vanii. Baba would handwrite those Ananda Vaniis on a piece of paper. They are totally unique

So we have to think. Carrying dogma is not good. Ultimately it will be thrown out by future Ananda Margiis. Because Baba says, “Dogma no more no more”.

Here following is this divine teaching of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. If we follow this, then no problem will remain on our path of forward movement as the Fake Ananda Vaniis and other dogmas will be gone

Baba says, “There are many good people in the society– noble people engaged in noble deeds– who are not ready to fight against wrongs and injustices. This sort of passive benevolence does not really promote the cause of human progress in the world.” (AV 8, p.51)

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s infinite grace and with the strength of many devoted margiis and wts our Marga is going to rise up tall. None should think that our AM will be forever sunk in groupism & dogma. It is sure that soon it will be dharma exemplified.

Baba says, “Under no circumstances should human beings be pessimistic. That is why I am always an incorrigible optimist, because I know that optimism is life.” (AFPS-3)

Namaskar,
Priyanath

Note 1: CANNOT CREATE FAKE SUPREME COMMAND

Just as we cannot create a Fake Supreme Command from a few paragraphs of His discourses. In the same way, we do not have the right to create some fake Ananda Vaniis.

Note 2: GREATNESS OF TRUE ANANDA VANIIS

True Ananda Vaniis are unparalleled, full of spirit, and they give the clarion call of marching song and victory. So that is the greatness of Ananda Vanii.

Note 3: FIGHTING SPIRIT OF VANIIS

In the real Ananda Vaniis of Baba, He is inspiring strong fighting tendency. To overcome injustice and exploitation in the society. But the so-called Ananda Vaniis since 1991 never deal on this societal point. Or if they do, it is directed towards fighting against the opposite group, when Baba’s idea is that we should not fight amongst ourselves, but rather against dogma– i.e. against dogmas like Fake Ananda Vaniis.

Note 4: SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

We must be alert. We should take it seriously that in the name of Ananda Vanii, certain groupist factions are trying to mislead margiis. To avert and fix the situation of this current Ananda Vanii problem, we have to depend on the real original treasure of true Ananda Vaniis. Such true Ananda Vaniis are the eternal source of our inspiration.

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Negative Teacher

Baba says, “Karna’s teacher was Parasurama. One day Parasurama and Karna were engaged in a conversation. Parasurama for some reason or other was tired, and he fell asleep, laying his head on Karna’s lap. At that moment a deadly insect gave a sharp bite to Karna’s thigh, and it started bleeding profusely. Karna was in great pain, no doubt, but he neither made any sound nor moved his legs even in the slightest, lest it should disturb the sleep of his guru…Later, when Parasurama woke up, he wanted to know why there was so much blood. Karna said, ‘This bleeding is due to the biting of a deadly insect on my thigh.’ Parasurama asked him, ‘Then why didn’t you make any sound, or move your legs, or even wake me up ?’ Karna said in reply ‘I didn’t do all those things because it would have disturbed your sleep. To disturb my guru’s sleep would be a sacrilege on my part. Hence I refrained from doing anything like that.’ Then Parasurama said to him, ‘Since you have so much power to endure pain, certainly you were not born in a vipra family.’ Parasurama was under the mistaken impression that Karna was a vipra by birth…’So you must have been born in a Non-Brahmin Family’ said Parasurama.” (MHB, p.62-3)

Note 1: In the above teaching it is clear that the teaching of Parasurama was inappropriate and sinful. Because he was selecting his students on the basis of caste. A proper teacher never commits such sin. On this silly ground, Parasurama cursed Karna and kicked him out from the ashram.

Note 2: Similar sinful things are going on in our present AM society. If any WT is not an ardent follower of a particular group then they will not get kapalik sadhana or vishesh yoga from those groupist leaders. Such “leaders” who are depriving others of their spiritual rights are sinners.
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Baba, by Your grace, this effulgent Diipa’vali evening has been lit by the lamp of Your divine love. With the sweetness of Your mind, You are that Divine Personality who has graciously removed all the blemishes and defects from my mental temple. By Your grace, You have made me clean and pure. O’ Eternal One, who is this Vast Entity who has graced me and appeared in my mental sky.

O’ Baba, the planets and stars have lit the lamp for You; by Your grace their hearts are filled with overflowing love for You. Baba You are so magnificent. By seeing Your infinite, divine grandeur, even this great, silver-coloured galaxy has become spellbound & awestruck. Baba, by Your grace You go on dancing and You go on floating in my oversurging heart, which You Yourself have illumined.

Baba, by Your grace I have longed for You for hundreds of lives. I have yearned for You through countless cycles of life & death; and by Your grace I have gotten new life again and again– always longing for You. Baba, I long for Your love in each and every fraction of my heart. By Your grace my mind is filled with the deep attraction of Your love. Baba, You have filled my entire being with the light of devotion. By Your causeless grace, the river of my mental longing is overflowing with Your divine love.

Note: The great festival of Diipavali is arriving soon: Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

Namaskar & Happy Diipa’vali!!

On the eve this wonderful occasion of Diivali or Diipavali, may we all rejoice and celebrate both the social & devotional aspects of this highly significant and spiritual occasion. After all this is one of our recognised AM festivals which is designed to bring a renewal and rejuvenation throughout one’s entire existence.

MANY WORSHIPERS OUTSIDE AM ALSO CELEBRATE

Of course Diipa’vali is not just a day celebrated in Ananda Marga. Throughout the vastness of tantric society, Diipa’vali is recognised as a highly meaningful occasion. Estimates are that upwards of 900 million to 1.4 billion people celebrate Diivali.

Whether one is a vidya tantric or an avidya tantric, whether one is an idol worshipper or one engages in prayer, whatever type of sadhana one does, Diipa’vali is the day when
all sincerely engage in their selected practice. On this occasion, one does more sadhana– whatever type that may be.

At the same time, many materialistic and dogmatic people display fireworks in the external arena; that is also one aspect of this event. Of course in AM, we do not support the use of fireworks – the reasons of which are outlined in note 3 at the end of this letter. Instead we might use eco-friendly, electric lamps – if one has the desire to celebrate in this manner.

After all ‘diip’ means ‘light’ or ‘lamp’ and Diipa’vali is that occasion which is a festival of lights. And many come forward in various ways to celebrate. It is a widely recognised occasion. Y

Of course in our Ananda Marga we have our own special, dharmic understanding of this great festival. And here below Baba sweetly describes the inner significance of Diipa’vali.

BABA’S SPECIAL DESCRIPTION OF DIIPA’VALI

As we all know in Caryacarya part 1 Baba neatly outlines all our AM festivals. Plus in various other discourses Baba also talks extensively about so many of these various festivals. And that is the case with Diipa’vali also.

Before we move ahead any further it should be noted that there are various different spellings of this occasion, depending on the language and area etc. Suffice to say here that ‘Diipavali’, ‘Diivali’, ‘Diipa’vali’ and ‘Deewali’ etc all refer to the same wonderful festival.

And in His June 1990 DMC discourse, ‘The Cult of Spirituality– The Cult of Pinnacled Order’, Baba makes special mention of this event.

In this discourse Baba explains how this festival known as Diipa’vali is linked with the enlightenment of the soul. That is the great significance of this day.

Hence Diipa’vali is related with spiritual effulgence, sentient thought, and all psycho-spiritual ideas that are linked with light: Igniting the lamp of love for Parama Purusa.

Here below is the original Hindi from this discourse. For those with the English editions of this book– “Yoga Psychology”– this section comes on page 136 of the 1991 edition and on page 174 of the 1998 edition. It directly follows the two line Sanskrit shloka, “Phalis’yatiiti vishva’sah…”. Unfortunately in both of these English editions, the proper translation of the original Hindi could not be given.

Here then is the original Hindi followed by the correct English translation:

Man ka’ jo andhaka’r hai usko hat’a’na’ hae.
(The darkness of the mind should be removed.)

Esa’ nahin kahana’ hai ki ghar-ghar men diivali,
mere ghar men andhera’.
(‘In each and every house there is a festival of light,
yet my home is dark’, one should not say like this.)

Ghar men bhii diiva’lii honi ca’hiye.
(There should be diivali in the home)

Aor ye hae a’tma’ kii diivali.
(And it is the diivali of the atma’)

According to Baba’s above DMC discourse, Diipa’vali is the idea of cultivating that inner spiritual yearning for Parama Purusa, thereby illuminating one’s entire existence with the sweet flow of spirituality. That is, infusing one’s soul with the great, devotional love of Parama Purusa.

HOW WE SHOULD CELEBRATE

Of course abiding by the Supreme Command, each and every Ananda Margii does sadhana twice a day, at minimum. So it is our regular habit and regular practice to illumine our minds and hearts with that deeply spiritual of flow. This is Baba’s grace and His great gift to all Ananda Margiis.

So when the day of Diipa’vali arrives then what are we to do. We are to dedicate even more time to our devotional practices of sadhana and kiirtan– enabling our existence to better reflect and capture the infinite love of Parama Purusa. By Baba’s divine grace may we all pass this occasion in this way.

And of course we may partake in any festival program as organised in our local units, as outlined in Caryacarya.

BABA’S BLESSING

On this wonderful festival of Diipa’vali, let us once again recall Baba’s great boon upon all Ananda Margiis.

Baba says, “You should remember why You have been born. Following the path of devotion, you will have to ultimately reach Parama Purusa.” (YP, ’91 Edn, p.140)

Namaskar,
Giriish

Note 1: DISCOURSE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED

Both the 1991 and the 1998 printed editions of Baba’s famous 1990 DMC discourse, ‘The Cult of Spirituality– The Cult of Pinnacled Order’, carry the wrong translation of the original Hindi lines. In English that paragraph begins and ends in the following way:

“In Sam’skrta, gu means ‘darkness’…
there should not be a festival of lights…of the soul.”

If compared with the original Hindi lines as translated in the main part of this posting, it is apparent that there are various mistakes and omissions in the English translation of this important paragraph. That is not to say that the idea has been totally misconstrued. But, we cannot say it is a proper translation of Baba’s words either. That is why both the grammar and the word selection in the English editions needs to be redone according to Baba’s original spoken discourse. As this is a DMC discourse, it was given using a mixture of the three languages (Bengali, English, and Hindi) but the special section about Diipa’vali was uniquely given in Hindi only. And the English translations should be made to reflect Baba’s original words.

Namaskar,
We know, and Baba has told us again and again, that life is not always smooth. One’s progress and movement is systaltic in nature – up and down. So there will always be highs and lows. Everyone will experience such patterns in their life.

This below Baba story is not just the recounting of a very devotional and tantric period in our AM history, but also a practical method for how we are to proceed in day to day life.

THOSE DAYS IN 1971 IN PATNA

Those pre-emergency days in 1971 in Patna, Baba was vigorously preparing everyone for the difficulties that lay ahead. He was teaching so many do’s and don’ts and then checking those things as only a Sadguru can. The scene was both riveting and exciting, as well as full of love and bliss.

Baba, of course, did not say openly that the whole world would turn on Ananda Marga and that we would all be persecuted and put in jail. Only He hinted that there will be a time when the number of margiis will be few and Ananda Margiis will not be accepted etc. Baba was also telling margiis to start stocking extra food in the homes, schools, and jagrtis.

Hearing this though, no one was worried. We all knew that Baba was the Parama Purusa and we rightly felt that nothing could harm us. We heard Baba’s gentle warnings about the future but at the same time we did not really listen.

It is just like if the weather is perfect outside – the sun is shining, there is a gentle breeze, and there is not a cloud in the sky – then if someone says that a cyclone is coming, few, if any, will take it seriously.

Same was the case with us back in 1971. Baba was there and that was enough. We could not think that such difficult days were coming. Trouble was around no doubt, but so was He and that was enough to satisfy us and think that everything would be fine.

HOW BABA LOVINGLY PREPARED US

In the Jamalpur days, Baba graciously gave yama and niyama for our conduct and dealing – for our betterment. In that phase He, of course, also delivered so many philosophical gems like Elementary Philosophy, Idea and Ideology, Ananda Sutram, and so much more. Our do’s and don’ts in personal life though were essentially limited to yama and niyama.

Around 1971, Baba began systematically giving so many teachings related with our personal dealing and way of living – most notably 16 Points. Prior to that some wholetimers were still drinking tea etc, but in 1971 all that stopped.

No doubt, prior to 1971, some had gotten certain practices from Yogic Treatments so a few were doing fasting on occasion and / or wearing laungota etc. But in 1971, those practices and so many more became pervasive in our Marga and were made mandatory via 16 Points and other codes of conduct.

Many may remember that before 1971, in order to have Baba’s darshan, then VSS and in-charges would ensure all had perfectly memorized the Supreme Command. One had to repeat it perfectly either in Hindi, Bengali, or English. Then and only then would they be allowed to enter the darshan hall or room.

But in 1971, that changed. Then everyone had to perfectly recite 16 Points in their exact order. That time Baba also began delivering so many discourses on various aspects of Sixteen Points.

SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Thus it was in Patna that Baba graciously first checked our Sixteen Points in so many different ways to ensure that we were all moving and growing properly on the path. Reciting the mere list of 16 Points was not all that was expected – we also had to follow.

It went something like this.

In the 2nd half of 1971 after shifting the office from Ranchi to Patna due to extreme social tension and unrest, we would regularly arrive – almost daily – at Baba’s Quarters or the jagrti for darshan.

AM was still growing at a good clip, but not at the booming rate as months earlier because the government and newspapers were releasing and printing so much false propaganda about Baba and the Marga.

In that dramatic era, we would all file in to see Baba and when there were 20 or 30 of us, then He would graciously take His seat and we would all be inside the walled Patna compound seated in an open area focused on Him. It was all quite beautiful and charming.

And as I say, those were the days when Baba has strictly checking 16 Points as He was well aware that the Emergency was looming eerily on the horizon.

BABA’S SPECIAL WAY OF CHECKING

In His divine manner, Baba would look around at the margiis present and openly ask us about our practices.

But it would be done in a very special way.

Baba would say, “Gopal, show us your shaoca manjusa. You have such a beautiful shaoca manjusa. It is very nice. Show it to us so everyone may see – after all this is one of our 16 Points.”

Baba had intentionally called on Gopal because He knew that Gopal did not have a shaoca manjusa.

In response, in the course of this loving liila where Baba was watching out for the welfare of all, Gopal would feel a bit ashamed or humiliated or embarrassed, and internally understood that he would have to be more strict on the point of shaoca manjusa.

And in that way, all the other margiis present understood as well that they would have to be strict, lest they get called on in front of all.

Baba would do the same thing with the point of laungota. If anyone present was not wearing a laungota, then that was the person Baba would call upon.

Baba would say, “Oh, Chandra Mohan, I understand you are very sincere in wearing a laungota every day. Is that not so. Don’t you always wear your laungota. Tell us.”

Then everyone knew that Chandra Mohan was not wearing a laungota. Plus they all knew that if next time they did not wear one then they would get called on.

Once all the physical aspects were addressed in this way, from food to fasting to taking bath properly etc, Baba raised the standard to the psychic & psycho-spiritual planes. He would check to ensure all repeated Guru Mantra before entering the room and that everyone was doing sadhana – all lessons – as directed.

So by applying pressure, Baba was teaching and ensuring we were actively involved in 16 Points. None wanted to be pointed out so step by step, point by point, all began following. This was the way things were rolling those days. Baba was getting everyone prepared and ready.

And not only that, in His loving liila, Baba would harshly rebuke and scold in-charges and VSS for allowing margiis to enter without following 16 Points. So they in turn began vigilantly checking to ensure all margiis were wearing laungota, carrying shaocamanjusa, doing pracara and properly following all the various element of 16 Points.

By this way everyone became strong Ananda Margiis and could weather the storm that was about to come.

STILL RELEVANT TODAY

Now in this year of 2011, the same system applies. Sixteen Points will save us from all difficulties and keep us moving in the right direction.

Baba says, “For progress in entitative flow, one is to lead a pure life, a moralistic life, a life based on moral principles. Do not do anything bad. What is bad? Bad is that which depraves human existence. Follow a strict code of morality. Live a pure life, a neat and clean life. Be strict in 16 Points. What will happen? Your entitative flow will get
purified and will be in parallelism with your psychic wave.” (SS_12)

And here below Baba directly states that our strength and stamina will increase multi-fold by adhering to Sixteen Points.

Baba says, “The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more your mental strength will increase. It will increase so much that it will be more powerful than the collective mental strength of 100,000 people. In a psychic clash they will have to concede victory to you. A person who is physically strong can fight against eight, ten or twenty people at
most, but no more than that. A psychically developed person, however, is able to fight against many more people. So you must endeavour to develop your psychic strength – this is your bounden duty. The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more psychic strength you will acquire. It will not take you long.” (AV-7)

Thus in the same way that 16 Points gave Wts and margiis the strength to manage and thrive during the Emergency, today also 16 Points will fortify us in all the ways needed to spread His teachings and gain success.

Let us also not forget that Baba is watching and those who follow His teachings of Sixteen Points will be graced more and more to proceed onwards. That is also His expressed guideline.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace ours is not the path of preya (mundane pleasure), but rather the path of shreya (Supreme benevolence). Sixteen Points is the way forward. Our duty is to follow and make sure other margiis are also following. Then our Marga will be strong, on both the individual and collective level.

Baba says, “…In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points.” (A’nanda Va’nii #45)

Namaskar
Karun

Note 1: MANY OF THE 16 PT TEACHINGS WERE PRESENT ALREADY

Although Sixteen Points was formally given during the above time period in 1970-71, many of those teachings were already present in the form of various worker and margii conduct rules, Yogic Treatments, and other teachings. By giving 16 Points, Baba codified and explicitly listed all these rules and regulations into one concerted list.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“A’va’r ki re a’lo elo dhu’lor e dhara’te…” (P.S. #615)

Purport:

O’ human being, behold! Ajana Pathik has come again on this dusty earth. The flood of effulgence has come. Through the medium of longing, You quench the thirst of the eyes. Look, the Lord of Effulgence has Himself come. All the minds and hearts which were crying in suffering and pain, are now dancing in joy. Because, He has come. He loves one and all, everyone. He has come here to remove the suffering, and establish dharma. Because of His advent, everything changed. The sweet breeze is blowing full of fragrance. On this dusty earth, Ajana Pathik has come…

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One Should Always Remember

Baba says, “However little one’s capacity might be, if one constantly remembers that Parama Purus’a is always with him, that they are in the closest contact with Parama Purus’a, they will be able to do everything. They are not as small as they think themselves to be. And as long as they remember this closest association with Him, they can do much more than ordinary human beings. When this idea becomes permanently established in their minds, they become great. This is why no one should be disappointed or depressed in any circumstances; let everyone constantly perform great deeds, remembering that the flow of their capacity is coming from Parama Purus’a, and thus they can do everything.” (AFPS-3, p. 62)
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